Well, dear readers, if they asked me I could write a book – actually they don’t have to ask me at all, I just write a book anyway. In any case, I could write a book if they asked me, and I just thought you should know that. As you know, I have recently finished a book and it’s now being proofed and then it will make its appearance in this old world sometime in September or October. We’re starting to work on the cover now, and, in fact, I shall be going to Mr. Grant Geissman’s home environment this very evening to do that very thing. We have one thought at the moment, and that’s what we’re going to attempt to make work – if not, it’s back to the drawing board. It’s actually a hard book to figure out a cover for – it probably should have some illustration art, original art, done for it, but I don’t really know people who do that. So, here’s hoping our initial concept works. Why am I talking about tonight when I haven’t even talked about today, let alone yesterday? That is most unseemly and we shall have to rectify that situation post haste, oh, yes, we shall have to rectify that situation post haste. For example, yesterday was a day in which I actually didn’t have to post, haste or otherwise. I did have to attend to various and sundried things and I also had to attend a rehearsal with Miss Joan Ryan. We’re still hoping by the end of tomorrow’s session that will have all the songs chosen – I think we’re up to fifteen now, which leaves about five to go. After the rehearsal, I came home and had a long telephonic call, which resulted in me moving our alumni fundraising show one week later, to November 5th. That date is now set in stone – unfortunately, in moving, I did lose one performer, but hopefully we’ll have enough stellar lights that we’ll be okay. I shall now actively begin choosing the material and the cast, and also the musical director. I think we’re going to try and have a ten-piece band, but that all depends on the final budget and funding for the show. Luckily, I have charts for a lot of the songs I’m thinking of, so there won’t be that many more to create. I’m not quite ready to give away what the evening is, but it will honor two composers that I’m very fond of. We’ll be at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. So, save the date, and we’re hoping we can have a wonderful hainsies/kimlets gathering, with special low rates for the show for all who wish to attend. I’ll be giving details as they come in. After all that, I got a sandwich and then sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I managed to watch two count them two motion pictures on DVD. The first motion picture on DVD was entitled Joe Kidd, another film in the new Clint Eastwood box set. It’s another film I’d never seen, so I was happy to finally view it. It’s a good oater, nothing exceptional, but entertaining. It was made the year before the vastly superior High Plains Drifter. The film was directed by the reliable John Sturges with a screenplay by Elmore Leonard. It’s quite brief (87 minutes), and moves right along, with pretty photography, and an excellent score by Lalo Schifrin. The transfer is very nice, with perfect color. I then watched the second motion picture on DVD, which was entitled Venus, a film from last year, starring Mr. Peter O’Toole. What a sweet, charming film it is. Mr. O’Toole should have won the Oscar for his performance – no, it’s not an “Oscar bait” role like Mr. Whitaker’s, but it’s a textbook in wonderful non-show-off acting. Leslie Phillips is terrific as his actor friend, as is Richard Griffiths as another friend. Miss Vanessa Redgrave has a couple of small scenes and she, too, is wonderful. Jodie Whittaker, as the very young object of Mr. O’Toole’s affection, took a while for me to warm up to, but in the end she gives a beautifully realized performance – it just took my ear a while to get used to her accent and to be able to understand what she was saying. The writing is very good, and the director keeps it very honest and simple, until just before the end, when he gets all crazy with some “hip” movie techniques (speeding up the camera, slowing it down), when a few classic lap dissolves would have been much more in keeping with what had come before. The transfer is fine.
What am I, Ebert and Roeper all of a sudden? Why don’t we all click on the Unseemly Button below because they might ask me if I could write a book and then where will I be?
Today, I have a very important lunch, so you might just want to send a whole bunch of excellent vibes and xylophones that said lunch goes swimmingly – if it does, it could result in some very nice and interesting news.
After that, it’s errands and then a visit to Mr. Geissman’s home environment to work on the cover of the book I did write, despite nobody asking. I don’t think I’ve given away anything about the subject of said book, have I? I suppose I will at some point soon.
Tomorrow, I have a breakfast meeting, then a long rehearsal with Miss Ryan and Mr. Boswell, and then I shall do something fun – I have no idea what, but I shall do something fun.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, jog, have an important lunch, do errands, and attempt to design a book cover. Today’s topic of discussion: What are your favorite book covers, paperback and hardback – the ones that really jumped out at you, whether by art or by title treatment, that really shouted, “Pick me up!” Let’s have loads of lovely postings, shall we? And don’t forget those excellent vibes and xylophones around noon, my time.